UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County

California Natives: The Time to Plant is Now

HomepageNatives Blog Promotion (350 x 350 px)

Plants that are native to California are becoming more and more popular, as part of existing garden beds or to replace a lawn. Here’s a rundown on why and how to plant them, together with resources to dig deeper. Read more...

Enchanting Plants or Garden Thugs?

Our help desk staff can answer any garden question. We got a question recently about a garden thug. A beautiful, trailing little plant that was slowly killing apple trees and required a box cutter to cut back and control. Many innocent-looking plants can take over your garden. Read more for practical advice on how to identify and avoid planting a thug in your garden.

Fillaree - A Weed to Control NOW

Filaree weed debris can injure pets. But early detection and well-timed weed control steps can make gardens and landscapes safer for pets. Like all winter annuals, it is best to remove filaree before they flower and set seed, and to prevent buried seeds from germinating. Special steps may be needed for very large infestations. Read more...

Lake Merritt Autumn Lights 2021

Alameda County Master Gardener volunteers are artists and community members. Read more about our display at the Lake Merritt Festival of Lights 2021.

8 Water-Wise Tips You Can Start Today

Irrigation Timer in Raised Planter at City Slicker Farms in Oakland, CA

There are 8 easy steps you can take to save landscaping water right now that will have a significant impact and don’t take much time or cost. Read more

San Francisco Bay Area Cool Weather Gardening

Leafy greens grown at City Slicker Farms in Oakland, CA

One of the benefits of our mild Bay Area Mediterranean climate is that we can successfully grow vegetables all year round. Plant in late summer or early fall to be rewarded with later harvests in time for winter and spring eating! Read more...

Citrus Leafminer - Sometimes the Best Treatment is not to Treat at All

Citrus leafminer damage on leaf including curling of leaves

One of the most common questions we get at the Help Desk concerns the Citrus Leafminer. You probably have seen it if you have a citrus tree, especially a lemon tree. The damage to the leaves is very obvious. New growth shows unusual, white squiggly lines like the doodles on paper and the leaves curl... read more

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Advice to grow by. Just ask us!

The photos above illustrate the color progression from pale to intense yellow-green, from green to red in the Hydrangea, and ultimately to the smoky-r

Click here: ASK THE HELP DESK! (a form will pop up to walk you through the process)
Email us at acmg@ucanr.edu Please tell us:

Your name, phone number, and city
Problem description - if applicable: name of the plant, when the problem began, history of watering, fertilizing, pruning, pesticides, etc.
Photographs of the problem, if possible

Due to COVID our phone line is currently not operating. Please use email or online option above to contact us for help.

Your Alameda County Garden, Month-by-Month

Monthly Tips from Master Gardeners on gardening tasks you can do each month to make your garden healthy, beautiful and productive.

Meet the Beneficials: Your Garden Pest's Natural Enemies

Beneficial Insects in the Garden: Poster

Learn more about garden pests, and how to control them safely

Twenty-One Top Garden Pests

Find information about safely and effectively controlling problems in your garden here, including the 21 Most (UN) Wanted Pests.

COVID Changes

The UC Master Gardeners Program of Alameda County is taking extra steps to ensure that our community and volunteers are safe. Our live, in-person events are slowly starting to open up with safety provisions in mind including mandatory masks and smaller groups. Watch our calendar of events for more details coming soon.

We encourage you to sign up for our public newsletter, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and visit this website to stay up to date with our valuable gardening instruction and workshops.